Wild Game Recipes: Jalapeno Dove Poppers

Dove meat can be prepared in many ways – a delicious reward after a successful dove hunt! These tasty birds are wonderful in a variety of ways, and today, we have a recipe from Field and Stream that will add a little spice to your life.

So, if you're wondering what to do with your latest dove harvest, keep reading for a recipe for jalapeño dove poppers.

What Does Dove Taste Like?

You might wonder if hunting doves is worth the effort since they're such small birds. It takes quite a few of them to have enough meat for a decent meal that could feed more than one person.

Fortunately, the bag limits are high in most places where it's legal to hunt doves. On a good day, you'll bring home plenty of doves to create a filling meal.

Those who already understand how tasty these birds are know that a day on a dove hunt is better than a day at home on the couch! Dove meat is a lean, dark meat, similar to duck breast meat. It has a distinct flavor (some would say "gamey") that can get dry if not cooked properly.

However, once you get the hang of how to cook with a good recipe, you'll look forward to dove season every year.

Wild Game Recipes: Jalapeño Dove Poppers Recipe

You'll love this quick and easy way to prepare dove with just a little "bite" to keep you wanting more poppers after they're long gone!

Prep. Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• Several de-boned dove breasts
• Bacon
• 1 tub cream cheese
• 1 can whole jalapeño peppers
• Toothpicks

Preheat your grill. Rinse and dry the dove breasts, then slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise. If you want less heat for your poppers, remove the seeds and veins.

Next, cut the bacon in half lengthwise. Fill the open cavity of each jalapeño with cream cheese. Top each one with a dove breast, wrap the whole thing in a bacon strip, and secure it with a toothpick.

Repeat this with all the dove breasts. Then, grill the poppers over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes, turning once, until the bacon is crisp.

Add salt and pepper to taste, then enjoy!

Enjoy Delicious Wild Game Recipes After Safe Hunts

Enjoying a delicious meal after returning from a successful hunt is the reward hunters want for their efforts. However, to return with a tasty dove harvest requires staying safe in the field.

Whether you hunt dove or other game alone or with hunting buddies, it's important to understand crucial safety essentials – along with those you hunt with. Most states require a safety certification before getting a license and getting out in the field after your next batch of doves.

Hunter-Ed is here to help you bring home more game for tasty wild game recipes by providing online, state-approved hunter education courses. You'll learn how to carry your firearm safely when hunting with others (or alone), how to avoid target fixation and accidents, and how much blaze orange you need to wear for every hunt.

It's easy to get certified! Find the course for your state and start learning.

Originally published October 6, 2015. Content updated May 31, 2024.